Detroit Lions Weblog

Roy Williams comments about Ford Field fans

Roy Williams made some strong statements in regards to the vociferousness (or lack of) of fans attending games at Ford Field. He feels strongly that they should be more helpful to the success of the Lions. He said “I’m not trying to bash our fans, but this is the most quiet stadium in the league.” “When the defense is out there, we have to be louder so their offense can’t hear. When we struggle (on offense), boo the wide receiver, boo everybody. Don’t just boo the quarterback.”

I know that Roy Williams is a rookie and may not be entirely informed about the history of this franchise so I will give him the benefit of the doubt. The home field fans used to have some effect on the outcome of games. That effect was a nearly deafening roar and an intimidating, barely containable intensity in vocal support of it’s home team. But if Roy reflects, he will realize that the atmosphere created that had a direct impact on the outcome of games occurred at another field, inside another domed stadium, distinct from his friendly confines several years ago in a suburb of Detroit. The Silverdome was a virtual Sodom and Gomorrah encased within a football arena (quite ugly I might add) that a regular guy could afford to spend the money necessary for tickets, parking, and beer to attend. Furthermore, fans were rewarded by seeing a competitive, even if frustratingly, underachieving football team.

Ford Field is palatial, it’s a stunning locale to watch a football game. Yet, the stadium is suffused with well-to-do-corporate-types, who have received their tickets gratis from the home office as a benefit of employment. So I must admit I take umbrage with these statements, with all apologies to Mr. Williams. I hate the fact that the modern professional sports landscape rewards it’s fans by building Babel-like towering temples replete with luxury seating, so that those very die-hard fans who will not sit on their hands while attending games, must stay home and watch on television (if isn’t blacked out). In regards to singling out a particular player, their is no more accountable or visible position to focus upon in all of professional sports than the quarterback position. Irregardless of culpability, the quarterback will usually be seen as most accountable for the success or failure of his team.